EP2660542A2 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerating and freezing appliance has a condensate reservoir that is configured to receive condensate. A fan is configured to generate an air flow over a condenser (10). The heat is passed from a condenser to the condensate. The condenser is in the form of planar element. A sheet element is extended parallel to the surface of the water located in the condensate container. An independent claim is included for a system of refrigerating and freezing appliance.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one condenser and with at least one condensation water container for receiving condensate.

Cooling or freezing devices are known from the prior art, which have a so-called base unit, in which the condenser of the refrigerant circuit and a fan are arranged. Other components of the base unit are the compressor of the refrigerant circuit and a container for receiving condensation, which accumulates during defrosting of the evaporator.

It is known to arrange the condensate tank on the compressor. This has the advantage that the compressor heat promotes the evaporation of condensate. A disadvantage is that the volume of the compressor table must be increased accordingly, and the useful content is reduced accordingly. Another disadvantage is the relatively low water surface available for evaporation.

It is further known from the prior art to arrange the condensation water tray below the liquefier, wherein the liquefier is immersed in the condensation water. Again, there is the disadvantage that a relatively small water surface is available. Another disadvantage is that the condenser tube must be protected from corrosion due to its contact with water.

From the prior art, it is also known to arrange the condensate tank below the condenser and not immerse the condenser in the condensation. Also, this results in the disadvantage of a relatively small water surface.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art, on the back of the device by a strong insulation and / or heating to prevent the condensation of water, which is a relatively expensive solution to avoid condensation.

The present invention is based on the object to further develop a refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned above, the efficient condensation water evaporation is made possible.

This object is achieved in that the condensation water is arranged relative to the condenser such that heat from the condenser passes to the condensation and that the fan is designed such that it discharges the laden with the condensation air on the back of the device. Preferably, a flow through the device or the device base takes place such that the condensation water container and / or condenser is arranged on the suction side of the fan and the moisture-laden air is discharged on the pressure side of the fan at the back of the device.

The fan of the device is designed in this way. that in operation it generates an air movement over the condensation water container and the air laden with moisture through one or more openings in the rear wall of the device or through one or more channels in the region of the rear wall of the device dissipates or dissipates on the outside of the device.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the invention it is provided that the condenser is designed flat and extends, for example, above and / or below the condensate container. In this way, a particularly good heat transfer is achieved by the condenser to the water, which is located in the condensation water tank. The condenser may thus for example consist of one or more meander-shaped or otherwise bent tubes and extend in a plane or in several planes, which are preferably arranged parallel to the surface of the water located in the condensation water container. In this way, a particularly efficient evaporation of condensation water is achieved because the heat-emitting surface is large relative to the surface of the water in the condensation water container.

The present invention further relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one device for the evaporation of condensed water, the means for the evaporation of condensed water having a plurality of containers which are arranged to each other, that the condensate flows cascade from one container to the next container or that the device for the evaporation of condensed water has one or more flat, preferably plate-like elements, which are arranged such that they are overflowed by the condensate for the purpose of evaporation.

It is conceivable, for example, that the device for the evaporation of condensate consists of a plurality of containers, in particular basins, which are flowed through in succession in cascade. So it is conceivable, for example, to design the basin with an overflow, so that automatically takes place at a certain level in one of the basins an overflow to the subsequent basin. The basins can be directly with each other or at an angle, that is offset from one another to each other.

It is also possible to provide at least one device for the evaporation of condensate, in which the condensate overflows one or more planar elements, such as plates, preferably wave-shaped plates. Due to the relatively large surface of the plates a good evaporation performance is achieved. It is preferably conceivable that these plates are heated by the condenser.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the device has at least one refrigerant circuit which comprises at least one condenser and that the means for the evaporation of condensate is partially or completely above the condenser. Another arrangement relative to condenser is conceivable and encompassed by the invention, such as the arrangement below the condenser or also next to the condenser or in the flow direction of the air before and / or after the condenser.

The condensate tank or the device for the evaporation of condensed water can in principle be located within, above, below or upstream and / or downstream of the condenser.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one heat or heat radiation reflecting surface is provided above the condensation water container, which is arranged relative to the condenser and relative to the condensation container or relative to the device for the evaporation of condensed water in such a way that waste heat flows through this surface , In particular heat radiation of the condenser is passed into the area of the condensation water or in the region of the device for the evaporation of condensate. For example, it is conceivable to attach at least one surface which reflects the thermal radiation, for example an aluminum foil. It is thus possible, in particular, to direct the heat radiation from the condenser into the condensation water by means of such an agent, thereby possibly additionally cooling the underside of the device. The heat radiation reflecting The surface may be above the condenser, for example on the ceiling of the unit base.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the evaporation tray or the condensation container has one or more elements for air guidance, which are designed such that they improve the evaporation and / or dissipate heat at the condenser or improve it.

The condensation water container can be designed as an injection molded part or as a plastic part. The condensate container may have air guide elements which provide for better evaporation and / or removal of heat at the condenser. Alternatively or additionally, the condensation water container may have one or more elements that can accommodate the condenser and / or other elements of the base unit or the device. These elements can thus serve for stabilization, for sound insulation etc.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the condensate container has heat-storing material or such a material is arranged in the condensate container. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, that the evaporation tray or the condensation container heat-storing material in the form of latent heat storage material or in the form of another, i. does not have latent heat storage material.

The evaporation tray or condensation container can, for example, have one or more chambers with such a heat storage material.

It is also conceivable that the material of the condensation water container has a high heat capacity (latent or non-latent). The condensation container can thus contain such material or at least partially consist of this.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the condensation water container made of plastic or sheet metal and / or consists of a sound-insulating material.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one condensation pipe is present, which is arranged such that it preferably directs the condensate from the cooled interior of the device or from the evaporator in the condensate tank or to the device for the evaporation of condensate, the condensate line openings in has its wall through which condensation can pass. It is thus conceivable, for example, that the hose for the condensation water discharge is a so-called sweat hose, which is targeted leaking and thus allows a certain pre-evaporation of the condensation water.

It is also conceivable that preliminary evaporation containers, such as, for example, pre-evaporation dishes, into which the condensation first enters, are provided. From there, the condensate flows into other containers or directly into the main evaporation tray. Such pre-evaporation containers can be arranged, for example, on the niche cover or niche cover of the compressor table, under the compressor, on the air guide elements in the base or the like.

It is also conceivable that the condensation water transport to the condensation water container via one or more plastic hoses and / or via one or more sprayed channels, in which already an evaporation of condensation occurs before it reaches the condensation water container.

As an alternative or in addition to the above-mentioned features, the device may be designed such that at least one means is provided which is arranged and designed such that the temperature at the rear of the device is held above the dew point by this means. It is also conceivable that air guide elements for overflowing the rear side with air and / or for generating a turbulence of the air flowing along the rear air present are. By this means it is prevented that it comes to a condensation of condensation water from the air, which is preferably discharged at the rear of the device upwards out of the base of the device.

Preferably, therefore, the back wall of the device is partially or completely executed with a surface with a high emissivity or with a higher emissivity than conventional devices. As a result, this agent or the surface absorbs heat from the environment and thus keeps the surface temperature or the temperature in the regions adjacent to the surface above the dew point.

Preferably, it is provided that the device does not have a liquid at its rear side, but that it is arranged in the device base.

It is also possible to arrange on the rear wall of the device one or more air ducts, in such a way that through them the air is passed over critical points at which the risk of condensation exists. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the rear wall of the device is provided with one or more guide elements, which provide for a targeted turbulence of the air at critical locations, that is, at the points where condensation is otherwise likely.

The side walls of the device are preferably designed so that as little ambient air as possible comes to the rear wall, but mainly the warm air from the base past the back wall.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the device is a stand-alone device. It is preferably provided that the base has in its front side one or more openings through which the air enters the base or is sucked in by the fan.

In the base space of the device, which is located below the cooled working space of the device, the condensation water container, the condenser, the compressor and the fan or only some of the aforementioned components may be arranged. Preferably, it is provided that in the flow direction of the air first the condenser and the condensation container and then the fan and optionally the compressor are arranged so that the fan sucks the air through the condensation water and the condenser and then emits in the region of the rear wall of the device, preferably after the air has flowed around the compressor.

The above means for preventing condensation need not necessarily be arranged on the device itself. The invention also includes the case that a furniture wall or a building wall, relative to which the device is arranged adjacent, is designed with one or more such means. This refers not only to the means for increasing the temperature, but also to the other means mentioned, by which a condensation in the area of the rear of the device, the furniture wall or the building wall or a space in between is prevented.

Accordingly, the present invention further comprises a system comprising at least one refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one wall, in particular at least one furniture or building wall, to which the device is adjacent with its back facing, wherein are on the said wall and / or on the rear wall of the device or in the space therebetween means which are arranged and designed such that by this means the temperature at the rear of the device and / or on said wall and / or in the space between them is kept above the dew point.

On the rear side of the device, on the side of the said wall facing the device and / or in between, there may be air guiding means and / or air guiding elements for generating a turbulence of the air.

• Figur 1: eine schematische Seitenansicht des Gerätesockels im Schnitt,
• Figur 2: eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des rückwärtigen Bereichs des Gerätesockels im Schnitt,
• Figur 3: schematische Ansichten von Einrichtungen zur Förderung der Verdunstung von Tauwasser,
• Figur 4: eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ventilators, des Tauwasserbehältnisses und des Verflüssigers und
• Figur 5: eine perspektivische Ansicht des rückwärtigen Sockelbereiches des Gerätes.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

• FIG. 1 : a schematic side view of the device base in section,
• FIG. 2 an enlarged side view of the rear portion of the device base in section,
• FIG. 3 : schematic views of facilities for promoting the evaporation of condensed water,
• FIG. 4 a perspective view of the fan, the condensation water tank and the condenser and
• FIG. 5 : A perspective view of the rear base portion of the device.

In FIG. 1 10, a condenser is shown, which consists of two levels of wound or bent tubes, between which the condensation water tray 20 is arranged.

The liquefier 10 is part of a refrigerant circuit which, in addition to the liquefier, comprises at least one evaporator, compressor and at least one capillary, through which the refrigerant is conducted to the evaporator.

The reference numeral 30, a fan is characterized, the air according to FIG. 1 from left to right via the condenser 10 and also via the condensation water 20 promotes. This means that the condenser 10 and the condensation water 20 are arranged upstream, that is, on the suction side of the fan 30.

Like this FIG. 2 It can be seen that in the back of the device one or more openings 32 or channels, can flow through the air in the direction of the arrow up on the back of the base of the device. This air is heated on the one hand by the condenser 10 and on the other hand by the compressor, wherein the compressor in the flow direction of the air downstream of the fan 30 may be located. Reference numeral 100 denotes the ceiling wall and reference numeral 200 the rear wall of the compressor 300. The reference numeral 400, the refrigerated interior of the device is shown.

Like this FIG. 1 it can be seen below the cooled interior 400 is a front to back, ie according to FIG. 1 From left to right of air-permeable region 1000, in which the condenser 10 and the evaporation tray 20 is located. In the section between this area 1000 and the compressor 300, the fan 30 is located.

As a result of the warm air flow generated in this way, which flows over the rear side of the device, it is conceivable to prevent condensation of condensed water at sites of the device rear usually tending to condense and to remove the moisture-laden air.

FIG. 2 shows in an enlarged view in section the rear area of the device. Reference character K denotes a refrigerant valve and reference symbol W denotes a water valve. The reference L in FIG. 2 indicates a stream of hot air which is passed along at usually the tendency for condensation points on the rear wall of the device. Thus, it is possible to evaporate condensate formed on an air flow on the rear wall.

FIG. 3 shows in the upper view, a first shell 50 for receiving condensation water and by the reference numeral 60, a second shell for receiving condensate. Both shells 50, 60 are connected by corrugated plates 70, which may for example consist of metal, in such a way that the water in the form of a film 75 on both sides of the plates 70 in the arrow direction of the arranged above shell 50 passes over the surface of the plates 70 in the lower shell 60. Due to the relatively large surface of the plate-like elements 70, a good evaporation of the water is achieved.

FIG. 3 , bottom view shows a plurality of superimposed condensation water tanks 78, which are flowed through cascade of condensation water. For this purpose, each of the evaporation trays 78 to the bottom an overflow 79, through which the water is introduced upon reaching a corresponding level in the next container. In this way, a relatively large surface of the dew water is provided overall, resulting in a correspondingly good evaporation of the dew water.

With the reference numeral 80 in FIG FIG. 1 is a hose or a channel for the supply of condensate from the cooled interior or from the evaporator of the device in the thawing tray marked. As stated above, this hose can be designed, for example, as a so-called sweat hose. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that, for example, provided on the ceiling of the niche or elsewhere sprayed channels and / or filters and / or screens, which are designed so that the water already evaporates in the channels in part.

The material of the condensation container can be sound-insulating, for example. It can be made of plastic or metal, preferably sheet metal. It may have chambers that can be filled, for example, with water or similar heat storage. It is also conceivable that the plastic container itself or the condensation water container itself consists of a heat-storing material (latent or non-latent) or of a material with high heat capacity or has this.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that elements are provided for air distribution and / or for generating turbulence, which have the task to guide the air above the condenser and / or above the condensate tank so that an improved Heat removal from the condenser on the one hand and on the other hand gives an improved heat transfer from the condenser to the condensation.

In order to avoid condensation in the area of the rear wall of the device, it is conceivable to make the surface of the device or an adjacent wall of a material with a high emissivity to absorb heat from the environment. This heat can then be released into the air so that it always has a temperature above its dew point. It is also conceivable to provide air ducts, which are arranged so that the warm air is led out of the device base targeted areas on the back of the device, which tend to condensation. It is also possible to use spacers or air flow elements for the controlled generation of turbulence. Also in this way it is possible to prevent the formation of condensate in the area of the rear of the device or to reduce the probability of the occurrence of condensate.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of the evaporation tray 20 and the superimposed thereon condenser 10, which consists of a bent tube. Like this FIG. 4 shows, the condenser is located substantially in a plane and preferably parallel to the surface of the evaporation tray 20 having a plurality of chambers. FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view of the rear lower portion of the device. The reference numeral 20 again the dew water container is marked, above which the condenser 10 is arranged. By means of the fan 30, the condensation water container 20 and the condenser 10 are overflowed with air. This air absorbs moisture. By the fan 30, the moisture is passed through the compressor 40 and discharged through one or more openings 32 in the back panel 200 or via one or more channels in the back of the device.

Claims (10)

Refrigerating and / or freezing appliance with at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one condenser, with at least one condensation water container for receiving condensate and with at least one fan for generating an air flow through the condenser and / or via the condensation water container, characterized in that the condensation container is arranged relative to the condenser such that heat from the condenser passes to the condensation water and that the fan is designed and arranged such that it discharges the laden with the condensation water from the condensation water on the back of the device and / or that the condenser is formed in the form of one or more planar elements or at least has a planar element, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one planar element parallel or substantially parallel to the surface of the water in the condensation water e rstreckt. Refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one device for the evaporation of condensed water, characterized in that the means for the evaporation of condensed water comprises a plurality of containers which are arranged to each other such that the condensate flows cascade from one container to the next container and / or the device for the evaporation of condensation has one or more planar, preferably plate-like elements, which are arranged such that they are overflowed by the condensate for the purpose of evaporation. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one condenser and that the means for the evaporation of condensed water partially or completely above and / or before and / or after the condenser and / or between the condenser levels and / or below the condenser. Refrigerating and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one heat-reflecting surface is provided, which is arranged relative to the condenser and relative to the condensation water tank or relative to the means for the evaporation of condensed water such that the reflective surface is conducted waste heat, in particular heat radiation of the condenser in the area of the condensation water container or in the region of the device for the evaporation of condensate. Refrigerating and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensation water container or the device for the evaporation of condensation has air guide elements and / or elements which are suitable, the condenser and / or other elements of the device, in particular the device base and / or has one or more areas in which heat-storing material is arranged. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one condensation pipe is provided, which is arranged such that it directs the condensate into the condensation water or to the device for the evaporation of the condensate, the condensate line openings in has its wall through which condensation can pass, and / or that at least one condensation pipe is present, which is designed such that condensation already evaporates in the condensation pipe. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of condensation water containers and / or a plurality of devices for the evaporation of condensate water are provided, which are flowed through in parallel or successively by condensation water. Refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one rear of the device, characterized in that at least one means is provided, which is arranged and formed such that the temperature at the back of the device is held above the dew point by this means and / or that one or more air guide elements for the overflow of the rear of the device with air and / or for generating a turbulence of the air flowing along the rear of the device are present. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed as a standalone unit and / or that one or more of the components condenser, fan, condensate container and compressor are arranged in the appliance base. System comprising at least one refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one wall, in particular at least one furniture or building wall, to which the device is facing everted with its back, wherein on said wall and / or at the rear wall of the apparatus or in the space between them means are arranged and designed such that by this means the temperature at the rear of the device and / or on said wall and / or in the intervening space above the dew point is maintained and / or means in the form of one or more air guide elements for the flow through the area between the rear of the device and said wall and / or for generating a turbulence of the flowing between the rear of the device and said wall air are present.

Images